April 13, 1743 Albemarle County, Virginia-July 4, 1826 Monticello, Virginia
Political Party: Democratic-Republican Party
Terms: March 4, 1801-March 4, 1809
Vice Presidents: First Term- Aaron Burr. Second Term- George Clinton
Thematic Context:
Globalization heavily impacted America during the reign of Thomas Jefferson. Many countries, especially Britain, did not respect America. Because of this, Jefferson passed the Non-Importation Act of 1806. This act forbade any goods to be imported from Britain. Jefferson wanted the British to respect America and their neutrality on the seas. Even though the act was not implemented for long, it was the first economical response to Britain’s actions. It shaped the thoughts of Americans because they wanted to be known as an independent and free country. Even though other countries recognized this, not everyone respected it. This new boycott on Britain goods put a thought into Americans that maybe Britain will finally respect them. Another development under this theme was the Embargo Act of 1807. This was Jefferson’s response to Britain and France violating America’s neutrality. All American ports were therefore closed to all exports in American or foreign vessels. This shaped Jefferson’s presidency because it was yet another nonviolent resistant. He was obeying the words of Washington and avoiding war to the best of his ability. This act, however, had a horrible toll on the people. Many farmers and New England mercantile were at a loss. Because they could not export goods to foreign countries, they were suffering worse than that of France or Britain. This act did lead to the Non-Intercourse Act which allowed trade with other countries other than France and Britain.
Thesis:
Thomas Jefferson deserves an A-. Both France and Britain were violating America’s neutrality and yet Jefferson avoided war. He passed multiple acts that had a more economic effect than military. Jefferson expanded the country’s trade by passing the Non-Intercourse Act which had a huge positive economic result. Thomas Jefferson did the best to his ability to avoid war and further develop and progress the United States.
Goals:
One of the biggest things Jefferson wished to accomplish was further unity as a whole and between the two parties. Even though Thomas Jefferson was the first non-Federalist President, he believed everyone was equal and had equal rights, no matter your political party. He wanted all Americans to pursue the party of their choice and not be influenced by others. Jefferson wanted to abide by what Washington had stated and to avoid permanent alliances with any foreign nation. Thomas Jefferson seeks to make friendships with all nations.
Relationship with Congress:
Congress, at the time of Thomas Jefferson, was ruled mainly by Democratic-Republicans. They outnumbered the Federalists in both the Senate and House of Representatives. For the most part, the relationship with congress was good. There were some small problems during his presidency, but he was able to move past them. One was the Louisiana purchase. Many people believed Jefferson was acting without Constitutional authority while others found it necessary. Congress repealed the Judiciary act of 1801 and the Embargo Act. Jefferson refused to repeal the Embargo Act, believing the American merchants did not have republican virtue, forcing Congress to repeal it themselves. Congress did, however, pass the Act Prohibiting Importation of Slaves.
Positive Action:
The most beneficial action that Thomas Jefferson accomplished during his presidency would be the Louisiana Purchase. At the time, Louisiana was larger than the whole of the states. Not only did they get an amazing deal for the land ($15 million) but it also offered a lot of fertile soil. The Louisiana Purchase gave them the Mississippi river which was relied on heavily for trading. France, after retaking Louisiana from Spain, had only one option but to sell it to America. The war between France and Britain was intensifying and France desperately needed the additional funds, so Napoleon decided to sell Louisiana to the United States. Jefferson sent two explorers, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, to explore Louisiana, making these two famous as well as adding to the legacy of Thomas Jefferson.
Negative Action:
The action that negatively impacted America was the passing of the Embargo Act. Even though the intent of the act was in good nature, it devastated the economy of America. Jefferson passed this act to a maintain neutrality during the Napoleonic War. All of America suffered from this act. Farmers were unable to export their crops and the New England states were not able to ship any goods to other countries. Jefferson blamed this economic crisis on the citizens, stating they were not showing their “republican virtue.” Although Jefferson passed the act to keep neutrality, it caused financial problems in America.
Decision affecting Future generations:
At the time, the Embargo Act had an undesirable effect. It caused a huge economic crisis to the whole of America. Later, not only did this open the eyes of future presidents of what can become if you do not make decisions based off of American interests, but it also led to the War of 1812. This war was caused after Britain tried to restrain American trade. The United States were able to keep Britain invasions out of New York, Baltimore, and New Orleans, boosting American confidence. Because the American citizens could not export to foreign countries, this resulted in trade difficulties, especially with Britain.
Conclusion:
Even though Jefferson made some mistakes, I believe the country is better off after having him as president. Jefferson attempted to maintain neutrality, avoiding war at all costs. One of the only major mistakes made by Jefferson was the passing of the Embargo Act, putting America into trouble financially. Thomas Jefferson realized that the country was not ready for war, so went to some extreme lengths to avoid war which later put the country in danger. Thomas Jefferson and Congress earn a A- for the jobs performed for this country.
Cites: 1815, Jefferson's library included 6, and 487 books. "Thomas Jefferson - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Jefferson#Presidency>.
time, that, 1814, commissioners signed the Treaty of Ghent, 1815, and unaware that peace had been concluded. "War of 1812 — History.com Articles, Video, Pictures and Facts." History.com — History Made Every Day — American & World History. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2013. <http://www.history.com/topics/war-of-1812>.
April 13, 1743 Albemarle County, Virginia-July 4, 1826 Monticello, Virginia
Political Party: Democratic-Republican Party
Terms: March 4, 1801-March 4, 1809
Vice Presidents: First Term- Aaron Burr. Second Term- George Clinton
Thematic Context:
Globalization heavily impacted America during the reign of Thomas Jefferson. Many countries, especially Britain, did not respect America. Because of this, Jefferson passed the Non-Importation Act of 1806. This act forbade any goods to be imported from Britain. Jefferson wanted the British to respect America and their neutrality on the seas. Even though the act was not implemented for long, it was the first economical response to Britain’s actions. It shaped the thoughts of Americans because they wanted to be known as an independent and free country. Even though other countries recognized this, not everyone respected it. This new boycott on Britain goods put a thought into Americans that maybe Britain will finally respect them. Another development under this theme was the Embargo Act of 1807. This was Jefferson’s response to Britain and France violating America’s neutrality. All American ports were therefore closed to all exports in American or foreign vessels. This shaped Jefferson’s presidency because it was yet another nonviolent resistant. He was obeying the words of Washington and avoiding war to the best of his ability. This act, however, had a horrible toll on the people. Many farmers and New England mercantile were at a loss. Because they could not export goods to foreign countries, they were suffering worse than that of France or Britain. This act did lead to the Non-Intercourse Act which allowed trade with other countries other than France and Britain.
Thesis:
Thomas Jefferson deserves an A-. Both France and Britain were violating America’s neutrality and yet Jefferson avoided war. He passed multiple acts that had a more economic effect than military. Jefferson expanded the country’s trade by passing the Non-Intercourse Act which had a huge positive economic result. Thomas Jefferson did the best to his ability to avoid war and further develop and progress the United States.
Goals:
One of the biggest things Jefferson wished to accomplish was further unity as a whole and between the two parties. Even though Thomas Jefferson was the first non-Federalist President, he believed everyone was equal and had equal rights, no matter your political party. He wanted all Americans to pursue the party of their choice and not be influenced by others. Jefferson wanted to abide by what Washington had stated and to avoid permanent alliances with any foreign nation. Thomas Jefferson seeks to make friendships with all nations.
Relationship with Congress:
Congress, at the time of Thomas Jefferson, was ruled mainly by Democratic-Republicans. They outnumbered the Federalists in both the Senate and House of Representatives. For the most part, the relationship with congress was good. There were some small problems during his presidency, but he was able to move past them. One was the Louisiana purchase. Many people believed Jefferson was acting without Constitutional authority while others found it necessary. Congress repealed the Judiciary act of 1801 and the Embargo Act. Jefferson refused to repeal the Embargo Act, believing the American merchants did not have republican virtue, forcing Congress to repeal it themselves. Congress did, however, pass the Act Prohibiting Importation of Slaves.
Positive Action:
The most beneficial action that Thomas Jefferson accomplished during his presidency would be the Louisiana Purchase. At the time, Louisiana was larger than the whole of the states. Not only did they get an amazing deal for the land ($15 million) but it also offered a lot of fertile soil. The Louisiana Purchase gave them the Mississippi river which was relied on heavily for trading. France, after retaking Louisiana from Spain, had only one option but to sell it to America. The war between France and Britain was intensifying and France desperately needed the additional funds, so Napoleon decided to sell Louisiana to the United States. Jefferson sent two explorers, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, to explore Louisiana, making these two famous as well as adding to the legacy of Thomas Jefferson.
Negative Action:
The action that negatively impacted America was the passing of the Embargo Act. Even though the intent of the act was in good nature, it devastated the economy of America. Jefferson passed this act to a maintain neutrality during the Napoleonic War. All of America suffered from this act. Farmers were unable to export their crops and the New England states were not able to ship any goods to other countries. Jefferson blamed this economic crisis on the citizens, stating they were not showing their “republican virtue.” Although Jefferson passed the act to keep neutrality, it caused financial problems in America.
Decision affecting Future generations:
At the time, the Embargo Act had an undesirable effect. It caused a huge economic crisis to the whole of America. Later, not only did this open the eyes of future presidents of what can become if you do not make decisions based off of American interests, but it also led to the War of 1812. This war was caused after Britain tried to restrain American trade. The United States were able to keep Britain invasions out of New York, Baltimore, and New Orleans, boosting American confidence. Because the American citizens could not export to foreign countries, this resulted in trade difficulties, especially with Britain.
Conclusion:
Even though Jefferson made some mistakes, I believe the country is better off after having him as president. Jefferson attempted to maintain neutrality, avoiding war at all costs. One of the only major mistakes made by Jefferson was the passing of the Embargo Act, putting America into trouble financially. Thomas Jefferson realized that the country was not ready for war, so went to some extreme lengths to avoid war which later put the country in danger. Thomas Jefferson and Congress earn a A- for the jobs performed for this country.
Cites:
1815, Jefferson's library included 6, and 487 books. "Thomas Jefferson - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Jefferson#Presidency>.
Category. "Louisiana Purchase - The History of the Louisiana Purchase." Geography Home Page - Geography at About.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2013. <http://geography.about.com/od/historyofgeography/a/louisianapurcha.htm>.
"Embargo Act (United States [1807]) -- Britannica Online Encyclopedia." Britannica Online Encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2013. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/185515/Embargo-Act>.
"Non-importation Act - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-importation_Act>.
"Thomas Jefferson: Inaugural Address." The American Presidency Project. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2013. <http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=25803>.
"Thomas Jefferson: Inaugural Address." The American Presidency Project. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2013. <http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=25804>.
service, length of. "Party divisions of United States Congresses - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_divisions_of_United_States_Congresses>.
time, that, 1814, commissioners signed the Treaty of Ghent, 1815, and unaware that peace had been concluded. "War of 1812 — History.com Articles, Video, Pictures and Facts." History.com — History Made Every Day — American & World History. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2013. <http://www.history.com/topics/war-of-1812>.